Caught Passing By
You never know what might show up.
Two white-breasted nuthatches flew in together and settled on opposite sides of the feeder post. Their blue-gray backs and white faces make them easy to spot. And climbing down headfirst? That’s probably normal for a nuthatch.
An Eastern bluebird stopped by for a look around. With those soft blue wings, rusty breast, and grayish head, I think this one’s a female. Bluebirds watch the ground for insects, so she may have been looking for lunch.
A female Northern cardinal with a worm in her bill. She’s not as bright red as the male, but there’s still plenty of red in her crest, wings, and tail. Looks like the search paid off.
I was surprised by an Eastern gray squirrel headed down the tree with an acorn in its mouth. Maybe it’s going to bury it somewhere. That makes me wonder how they remember where they put them all.
A mourning dove looking for seeds in the grass, with another close by. Their soft gray-brown feathers, black wing spots, and long, pointed tails help identify them. They spend plenty of time feeding on the ground beneath the feeder.
A chickadee paused at the feeder and looked straight toward the camera. The black cap and bib, bright white cheeks, and gray wings make these little birds easy to recognize.
Out feeding the animals at 7:45 in the morning, and the moon was still hanging around.
The first grackles are back, helping themselves to the acorns. They show up around this time every year. A few at first, then before long the oak tree is full of them. Click image for the article.
A tufted titmouse stopped by the stump for a photo.
My first red-bellied woodpecker. She landed on a branch I’d stuck upright in the ground.
A male downy woodpecker stopped by for a little suet.